Death by Domestic Violence

Each year, about 33 percent of all women and 3 percent of all men murdered in the United States, are killed by a so-called intimate, a spouse, partner, or lover. Nationwide, murder by an intimate is the number one cause of death for pregnant women. And murder by an intimate is not just an American problem. A European task force recently found domestic violence accounts for 25 percent of all homicides in London, and 35 percent across England and Wales. In this timely book, van Wormer and Roberts describe the problem, and what they have seen and heard on the front lines with both women and men who have escaped domestic violence that was escalating toward deadly levels. The text examines not only the psychology of the batterer but of domestic murder, and domestic murder-suicide. Drawn from the experience and insights of these two widely-known social workers, the text includes a safety plan for those at risk and a chapter providing narratives of women in prison for killing their abusive husband or partner. Drawing on the experience and insights of these two widely-known social workers, Death by Domestic Violence separates domestic violence myths and facts, explains the traumatic bonding that occurs between batterer and victim, and details how one facet of the solution could be school-based interventions and education. The book culminates with recommendations for further reduction of harm and a safety plan for those at risk.

KATHERINE VAN WORMER is Professor of Social Work at the University of Northern Iowa. She is a member of the Editorial Board for several scholarly journals, including Victims and Offenders, Families in Society and the Journal of Comparative Social Welfare. Van Wormer has authored or co-authored 13 earlier books. The late Albert R. Roberts was a widely known Professor of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Rutgers University. Also Series Editor for the Praeger series, Social and Psychologial Problems and Solutions, he was Founding and acting Editor-in-Chief of the journal Brief Treatments and Crisis Intervention, as well as Victims and Offenders. He authored or edited 32 earlier books.